Rowing Announces 11 to 2026 Signing Class

ORLANDO – The UCF rowing team has announced the signing of 11 athletes who will join the program ahead of the 2026–27 season.

The incoming class spans three continents, four countries and six states, bringing a wealth of international talent and competitive experience to Orlando. The group includes Bailey Desbrow, Olivia Mingione, Madeleine Wark, Marley Webster, Elliana Grabon, Olwyn Watkins, Sophie Carter, Robin Luftig, Olivia Lill, Sara Naboni Nevado, and Sydney Dalton.

Bailey Desbrow

• Hometown: Germantown, Md.
• High School: Northwest High School
• Rowing Club: DC National Rowing Club
• Prior to UCF: Named Most Outstanding Rowing Novice in 2025 at DC National Rowing Club. With the same crew, Desbrow placed third at the Mid-Atlantic Championship in 2025. Also earned two varsity swimming letters during her freshman and sophomore years.

Olivia Mingione

• Hometown: Greenwich, Conn.
• High School: Greenwich High School
• Rowing Club: Greenwich Crew
• Prior to UCF: Coxed the Women’s Youth 3rd 8+ in the 2024 Northeast Youth Championship with Greenwich Crew.

Madeline Wark

• Hometown: Freshwater, Sydney
• High School: Queenwood School for Girls
• Rowing Club: Queenwood Rowing
• Prior to UCF: Named the U17 8+ State and National Champion in 2023. Finished second in both the 8+ and 4+ at the 2025 U19 Australian Nationals. Also competed in swimming and field hockey.

Marley Webster

• Hometown: North East, Pa.
• High School: Mercyhurst Prep
• Rowing Club: West Side Rowing Club
• Prior to UCF: Team Captain and Rower of the Year at Mercyhurst Prep. Placed second at the USRowing RowFest National Championships in the Women’s Youth 8+. Recipient of the Officers Award in 2025.

Elliana Grabon

• Hometown: Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
• High School: Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
• Rowing Club: Gwynedd Mercy Crew
• Prior to UCF: Won the Girls Senior 4+ category at the 2025 SRAA Championships.

Olwyn Watkins

• Hometown: Peterborough, Ontario
• High School: Crestwood Secondary
• Rowing Club: Peterborough Rowing Club
• Prior to UCF: Silver medalist in the First 8+ at the U23 Provincials in Ontario. Competed in volleyball for two years in addition to rowing.

Sophie Carter

• Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
• High School: Genazzano FCJ College
• Rowing Club: Mercantile Rowing Club
• Prior to UCF: Member of the U17 Victorian State Team in 2024. Named Genazzano Rower of the Year in 2024 and Senior Rower of the Year in 2025. Served as captain of Genazzano Rowing Club in 2025, finishing runner-up in the schoolgirl four.

 Robin Luftig

• Hometown: McLean, Va.
• High School: Langley High School
• Rowing Club: Resilient Rowing
• Prior to UCF: Coxed the first eight and four boats for Resilient Rowing Club.

Olivia Lill

• Hometown: Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
• High School: Saratoga Springs High School
• Rowing Club: Saratoga Rowing Association
• Prior to UCF: Placed seventh in the Women’s First Eight at Youth Nationals in 2024 and tenth in 2025.

Sara Naboni Nevado

• Hometown: Almeria, Spain
• High School: IES Murgi
• Rowing Club: Tiempo Libre El Ejido
• Prior to UCF: Competed with the Spainish National Team. Finished third and fourth at the 2023 Coupe de la Jeunesse in a pair. Placed sixth at the 2024 U19 European Championships and eighth at the U19 World Championships. In 2025, finished fifth in the Four (-) at the U19 European Championships and ninth at the U19 World Championships.

Sydney Dalton

• Hometown: Sarasota, Fla.
• High School: Sarasota High School
• Rowing Club: Sarasota Crew
• Prior to UCF: 2025 Sculling State Champion. Competed at Youth Nationals in the 2v8 and U17 2x in 2024 and in the 1v4x in 2025.

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.